Union members from Marathon Petroleum’s Detroit refinery overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike if necessary, officials with Teamsters Local 283 announced Thursday.þþThe vote with 95% approval comes as the union negotiates for compensation increases and improved schedules.þþ“Though Marathon Petroleum made nearly $10 billion in revenue in 2023 on the backs of Teamsters, the company claims to not have enough to pay their workers their fair share,” Steve Hicks, president of Local 283 said in a statement Thursday. “If Marathon won’t offer the Teamsters whose labor makes them profitable a fair contract, workers are going to withhold their labor. This overwhelming strike authorization should send a clear message to Marathon that Teamsters are committed to getting what they deserve.”þþThe Teamsters' contract with Marathon expired on Jan. 31 and covers 273 workers, according to the union. Union workers include board operators, chemists, field operators, laboratory technicians, electricians and mechanics.þþ“We are essential workers that work around the clock to ensure the plant keeps running and keeps making Marathon money,” said Jeff Tricoff, a relief operator at Marathon’s Detroit refinery. “Marathon has made record profits for the last few years by ramping up production and cutting costs, but we don’t want our contract to be a part of their cost cutting efforts. Our role in Marathon’s success should be rewarded with a strong union contract that includes competitive wages and fair language to increase work life balance and morale in the plant.”þþIn an email Thursday, Marathon Petroleum Corp.'s media relations said the company's Detroit refinery continues to safely produce transportation fuels.þþ“At this time, the Teamsters Local 283 has not provided the company with a notice of intent to strike, and our Teamsters-represented employees are currently continuing to work as scheduled,” the company wrote in an email. “As part of the collective bargaining process for a new contract, Marathon Petroleum has been regularly meeting with representatives from the Teamsters Local 283 to negotiate since prior to the contract’s expiration, and we remain willing and available to continue negotiating. We will continue to bargain in good faith and are committed to reaching an agreement that is satisfactory to all parties.”þþThe company noted that if needed, it is fully prepared and has appropriate contingency plans “to safely operate the Detroit refinery with trained and qualified personnel, while maintaining our vigilant focus on compliance, reliability and care for the environment.”þþTeamsters Local 283 represents more than 800 workers in various industries in the Detroit region.þþ
Source: detroitnews.com
